Happy (Muslim) New Year! While the Gregorian calendar turned twenty-ten at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2009, the Muslim calendar clocked 1431 a few weeks later.

The past year brought not only a vision of hope with the swearing in of the first African-American president but also a dark cloud of despair with the economic meltdown catalyzing high unemployment rates. The human spirit was tested the world over, from the farmers of a fishing village in Sri Lanka to the executives who once paraded Wall Street, all felt the sting of the "R-word." And once again, like the brave individuals who survived the Great Depression and the Great Wars we, too, pulled through. Well, almost. There is still a lot to do. Non-profit organizations, for instance, still face severe shortcomings financially.

Each year, many of us create New Year's resolutions, and each year, by the time March rolls around we forget what was even on the list. Sure, many resolutions are well intended, maybe even beneficial to our health, but let's face it: sometimes old habits just die hard. Remember the twenty pounds you swore to throw off by next Eid? Is the treadmill is still collecting dust?

So perhaps this year we could strive toward creating more realistic or - even better - more altruistic goals. For those of us who wish to increase our Taqwa more, perhaps reading just one page of the Quran a day with translation and interpretation would do our souls good. For those who wish to help the needy more, a change jar kept in a central location of the house could go a long way for a person in need when full.

A personal battle I face is maintaining a level of respect with my parents during conversation. I am more inquisitive by nature, and perhaps due to the type of education I receive at the university level, I am constantly assertive and defensive during conversations to win my case - characteristics that come off as, well, "rude" to my parents. I don't mean to declare war with them each time I have something to say, but sure enough, tension often hangs above our heads like the dense smoke of a shot canon. I am sure others may agree: sometimes it's just hard to talk to parents without the conversation snowballing into an argument. Still, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stressed, parents always deserve more than we could ever pay.

So one of my New Year's resolution this year is to learn when to keep my mouth shut when talking to my parents and when to (politely) state my case.

This year think carefully about your New Year's resolution and try - even when the heavy rains of Spring slide down you window, even when the sweltering heat of the Summer bears down on your back, and even when the cool winds of Fall caress your face with whispers of the next year - remember your resolutions and follow through with them. Insha'Allah, don't just have - make - it a good year.

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